Vic Labor to ban grazing at national park

A ban on cattle grazing in two national parks is part of the Victorian opposition's environment policy.

Labor's environment plan will scrap the Napthine government's cattle grazing trial in the Alpine and Red Gum national parks if it wins the November 29 election.

It has also promised to review legislation and programs to commit to an achievable carbon emissions reduction target.

An issue highlighted by environment groups, the plight of the threatened Leadbeater's possum and the establishment of a new national park to protect it, will be decided upon by a taskforce as part of the ALP policy.

This will comprise groups including unions, the forestry industry, environment groups and scientists.

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Environment Victoria said banning cattle from the Alpine and Red Gum national parks was an important step, but called for livestock to be kept off river banks and out of waterways.

The group was disappointed more was not done to protect Leadbeater's possum by declaring its primary habitat a national park, its CEO Mark Wakeham said.

The Wilderness Society also said more needed to be done for the possum.

"Time is running out for the Leadbeater's possum," its campaigns manager Amelia Young said.

"If Labor insists on pursuing the taskforce option and wants any chance of the saving of the state's animal emblem from extinction, it must commence this taskforce within the first 100 days of government."

The coalition is yet to release its environment policy.

ALP'S ENVIRONMENT PLAN INCLUDES:

* $20 million New Energy Jobs fund to encourage investment in the renewable sector.

* Commit to an achievable carbon emissions reduction target.

* Reintroduce ban on cattle grazing in the Alpine and Red Gum National Park and incorporate the Anglesea Heath and Great Otway National Park.

* Creation of a taskforce to provide leadership on future issues, including threatened species such as Leadbeater's possum and establishment of new national parks.